WACO, Texas — A 24-year-old man was killed early Wednesday morning in what police are calling a tragic accidental shooting inside a Waco home. Authorities have identified the victim as Tyrese Johnson, who died after being struck by a bullet fired from a rifle. Another man, Joshua Chappell, also 24, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the incident.
According to the Waco Police Department, officers responded around 12:20 a.m. to a residence in the 2400 block of South 21st Street after receiving a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found Johnson unresponsive with a gunshot wound. Emergency responders performed CPR before rushing him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Investigators said the weapon involved was a rifle that discharged while being handled inside the home. Police believe the shooting was not intentional, but rather the result of careless handling. Detectives identified Chappell as the individual responsible and arrested him without incident. He was later booked into the McLennan County Jail, where his bond was set at $50,000.
An arrest affidavit revealed that three people were in the living room when the gun went off. A woman at the scene told officers that Chappell had been handling the rifle “playfully,” pretending to fire it and making shooting sounds. During this time, the rifle discharged, striking Johnson. Another man in a nearby room woke up to the commotion and called 911. He followed instructions from dispatchers and began CPR until police arrived.
Authorities said there was no argument or fight before the shooting. They described the case as a tragic example of unsafe firearm handling, emphasizing that all guns should be treated as loaded at all times. Police officials urged gun owners to practice strict safety habits—never pointing a weapon at anyone, even in jest, and always verifying that it is unloaded before handling.
The Waco Police Department extended condolences to Johnson’s family, calling the incident “an incredibly painful loss.” The case remains under investigation as detectives review evidence and await further forensic results. Officials also reminded the community that firearm accidents are preventable through responsibility, respect, and caution when handling weapons.